Minimally invasive splitable pedicle screw extender

ABSTRACT

The present application provides a tool for minimally invasive surgical procedures. The tool includes a first and second portion where each portion has an outer blade and an inner blade that is slidable along the outer blade. A removable connector connects the first and second portions. When removed, the first and second portions are separated by a gap extending the length of the tool.

REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application for patent is related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13,540,497, titled MINIMALLY INVASIVE TOOL TO FACILITATEIMPLANTING A PEDICEL SCREW AND HOUSING, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/938,073, titled MINIMALLY INVASIVE TOOLTO FACILITATE IMPLANTING A PEDICLE SCREW AND HOUSING, filed Nov. 9,2007, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,110, which claims priority toUnited States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/865,365, filedNov. 10, 2006, all of which are herein incorporated by reference as ifset out in full.

BACKGROUND

Background

Spinal fusion is a known technique to correct spinal injuries,deformities, and/or degenerative conditions. Lumbar fusion, for example,is generally an open procedure. An open procedure includes making arelatively large surgical incision to access the surgical site. Asurgeon may implant a fusion cage into an intervertebral disc space,Next, the surgeon immobilizes the adjacent vertebral bodies usingfixation rods attached to the superior and inferior vertebral body.Immobilizing the superior and inferior vertebral body allows hone togrow and fuse the superior and inferior bodies into one mass of bone.

As can be appreciated, the open procedure described above results in arelatively significant amount of trauma to the patient as a significantamount of tissue and muscle must be cut and retracted to allow access tothe surgical site. Minimally invasive tools and procedures have beendeveloped to reduce the amount of trauma as well as reduce the recoverytime. One such minimally invasive system includes the '110 Patentdisclosed above. The '110 Patent allows for a smaller or minimalincision by providing a surgical corridor formed by inner and outersleeves that locked to a pedicle screw or a pedicle screw tulip. Asurgeon accesses the surgical site through the surgical corridor formedby the sleeves.

Another minimally invasive tool is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,951,175,titled INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR MANIPULATING A VERTEBRA, issued May31, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference as if set out in full.The '175 Patent similarly describes a tool that forms a corridor andconnects to a bone anchor. The '175 Patent has a proximal end extendingfrom the patient. The inner sleeve of the instrument is movablerelatively to the outer sleeve, via a plunger or the like, that residesalong the center line of the corridor formed by the tool. The instrument10 disclosed by the '175 Patent provides for a minimally invasivemechanism to manipulate the vertebrae and to seat the rods 90A, 90B intothe bone anchors, but does not provide a convenient mechanism to movethe rods 90A, 90B from outside the patient to inside the patient.

Other similarly minimally invasive tools provide a special rodintroduction tool. For example, United States Published PatentApplication Publication Number 2012/0253402A1, filed Jun. 14, 2012,titled PEDICLE SCREW EXTENSION FOR USE IN PERCUTANEOUS SPINAL FUSION,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein as if set out in full,provides for a rod introducer that slidingly engages the outside of apedicle screw extension and moves a rod into position as the tool slidesfrom a proximal to a distal location along the extension. The tool ofthe '340 application, as well as other similar pedicle screw extendersas they are generally know in the art, leaves much to be desired. Inparticular, rod introducers for the current extenders are customer toolsthat are adapted to engage the outside of the extender, rather thanusing the hollow center of the extenders. The rod introducer is offsetfrom the pedicle screw extender requiring a slightly larger incision.Also, the pedicle screw extenders themselves, as presently constructed,provide an obstructed view of the surgical area.

Thus, against the above background, an improved pedicle screw extenderwould be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of the technology of the present application will bediscussed with reference to the appended drawings. These drawings depictonly illustrative examples of the technology described more fully hereinand are not to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 is a view of a toot connected to a saddle consistent with thetechnology of the present application;

FIG. 2 is another view of the tool connected to the saddle as shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the turret of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the turret of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of movement of the turret and blades to move the toolfrom a locked to an unlocked position;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded, perspective cross-sectional view ofanother tool consistent with the technology of the present application;and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tool shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technology of the present application will be described in thecontext of spinal surgery, but one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize on reading the disclosure that the technology may beapplicable to other medical fields. Moreover, the technology of thepresent application will be described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean“serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodimentdescribed herein whether or not specifically identified as “exemplary”is not to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments. Moreover, in certain instances only a single “exemplary”embodiment is provided. A single example is not necessarily to beconstrued as the only embodiment. It also should be understood thatterminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It mustbe rioted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context of thedisclosure clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a lithium hydroxide” is not to be taken as quantitatively or sourcelimiting, reference to “a step” may include multiple steps, reference to“producing” or “products” of a reaction should not be taken to be all ofthe products of a reaction, and reference to “reacting” may includereference to one or more of such reaction steps. As such, the step ofreacting can include multiple or repeated reaction of similar materialsto produce identified reaction product.

Further, the instrument(s) described in accordance with the technologyof the present application facilitate surgical implantation of pediclesscrews and fixation rods for spinal fusion. With that in mind, exemplaryspinal fixation systems may include polyaxial or monoaxial pediclescrews as are generally understood in the art. Moreover, the instrumentsmay be useful for surgery relating to fixation of the cervical,thoracic, and/or lumbar spine. Additionally, the instruments may beuseful in other orthopedic fusion procedures where two or more boneysegments are to be fused using rods and screws to immobilize thesegments.

The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose ofproviding a thorough understanding of the technology of the presentpatent application. However, on reading the disclosure, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the technology of the presentpatent application may be practiced with or without these specificdetails. In some descriptions herein, generally understood structuresand devices may be shown in block diagrams to aid in understanding thetechnology of the present patent application without obscuring thetechnology herein.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tool 100 coupled to a saddle 102 isprovided. The saddle 102 is a portion of an implant usable in pediclescrew and rod fixation systems as is generally known in the art. Itshould be noted that saddle 102 may be a number of different implants,however. The tool 100 has a proximal end 101 and a distal end 103. Thetool 100 has a longitudinal axis 104 extending between first and secondouter blades or elongate members 105, 107. With reference to FIG. 2, thetool 100 also has first and second inner blades or elongate members 109,111. The blades 105, 107, 109, 111 as shown may have an arc or radius tofacilitate a sliding interconnect between the first inner and firstouter blades 105, 109 and the second inner and second outer blades 107,111. The blades 105, 107, 109, 111, cooperate to releasably couple tothe saddle 102 at the distal end 103, as will be explained furtherbelow. The outer surfaces of the first and second inner blades 109, 111slidingly engage the inner surfaces of the first and second outer blades105, 107 such that the first and second blades 109, 111 have an unlockedposition 204 where the tool 100 is releasably engageable with the saddle102 and a locked position 202 where the tool 100 is locked to the saddle102.

The proximal end 101 further comprises a connector 113 that releasablycouples the blades 105, 107, 109, 111 at the proximal end 101 of thetool, as also will be explained further below. The connector 113 isadapted to couple the blades 105, 107, 109, 111 at the proximal end 101but does not cause relative movement of the first and second innerblades 101, 111 with respect to the first and second outer blades 105,107. When connector 113 is coupled to the tool 100, the first and secondinner blades 109, 111, and the first and second outer blades 105, 107may be considered inner and outer sleeves, tubes, lumen, or the like.When the connector 113 is removed, however, the blades are not otherwiseinterconnected unless an external C-clip or the like is provided forrigidity. Removing the interconnection provides a channel, definedbelow, over the entire length of the tool 100.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, one possible saddle 102 willbe further described. The saddle 102 comprises a through bore 106 with abore axis 108 generally aligned with the vertical longitudinal axis 104.The saddle 102 also comprises a plurality of legs 110 (or arms) forminga U-shaped channel 112 having a rod seat 114. The through bore 106 isconfigured to receive a bone fastener as is generally known in the art,but not shown for convenience. The U-shaped channel 112 and rod seat 114are configured to receive a fixation rod as is generally known in theart, but not shown for convenience.

With reference to FIG. 2, an exemplary attachment mechanism 1 and 2 forestablishing a releasable connection between the inner and outer bladesof tool 100 and the saddle 102 will now be explained. Additional detailregarding the connection is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,110incorporated by reference above. FIG. 2 shows the tool 100 and thesaddle 102 in a locked position 202 and an unlocked position 204. As canbe appreciated, the first and second outer blades 105, 107 may have arolled or folded edge 190 forming a groove 192. The first and secondinner blades 109, 111 may have a tongue 194 forming a slidable tongueand groove connection between the inner and outer blades.

The attachment mechanism 2 is further described with reference to theunlocked position 204. The legs 110 of the saddle terminate at an uppersurface 201. The upper surface 201 has at least one locking detent 203sized to receive a locking protrusion 205 extending from a distal end.207 of the first and second inner blades 109, 111. In this exemplaryembodiment, two locking protrusions 205 are provided to engage twolocking detents 203. To facilitate the connections, the distal end ofthe first and second inner blades 109, 111 may include a wedge, block,ramp 196, or the like. The ramp 196 tends to bias the first and secondinner blades radially outwardly.

The attachment mechanism 1 is further described with reference to thelocked position 202. The legs 110 include an outer surface 206. Theouter surface 206 has a tool shelf 208. The first and second outerblades 105, 107 have a ledge 210 extending radially inwardly from thedistal end 212 of the first and second outer blades 105, 107. The ledge210 is sized to engage the shelf 208. The ledge 210 and shelf 208 maycomprise alignment ridges and grooves 214, 216 as shown.

When in the unlocked position 204, the first and second blades 105, 107are movable radially outwardly from each other. The first and secondblades 105, 107 are initially positioned such that the opposed ledges210 move into the U-shaped channel 112. The first and second blades 105,107 are rotated, either clockwise or counterclockwise, such that thelegs 110 of the saddle 102 force the first and second blades 105, 107radially apart. The U-shaped channel 112 may have edges 218 that arebeveled, tapered, or chamfered to facilitate the movement. The ledge 210may have cooperating edges 220, which may be referred to as leading ortrailing edges. The tool 110 is rotated and moved vertically until theledge 210 aligns with the shelf 208, at which point the first and secondblades move radially inward to “snap fit” onto the saddle 102.

Coupling the ledge 210 and shelf 208 generally aligns the lockingprotrusions 205 with the locking detents 203. The first and second innerblades 109, 111 are slid along the inner surface of the first and secondouter blades 105, 107 until the locking protrusions 205 engage with thelocking detents 203. A clamping force is generated between the bottomsurface 209 of the first and second inner blades 109, 111 abutting theupper surface 201 of the saddle 102 and the ledge 210 of the first andsecond outer blades 105, 107 engaging the shelf 208.

The first and second inner blades 109, 111 in the locked positionprovide torsional resistance inhibiting the ability to rotate the tool100 off the saddle 102. The resistance is provided in part because thelocking protrusions 205 engaging the locking detents 203 inhibits thefirst and second outer blades 105, 107 from moving radially outward fromeach other and the clamping force described above, which inhibits thelocking protrusions from skipping out of the locking detents 203.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of part of the tool 100is shown. FIG. 3 shows the first outer blade 105 and the first innerblade 109. The second outer blade 107 and the second inner blade 111would be substantially the same and are not further explained herein.The first outer blade 105 has an alignment bore 302 that generallyaligns with an alignment window 304 of the first inner blade 109. Thealignment bore 302 has a collar 308 extending outwardly from the firstouter blade 105. The alignment bore 302 and the alignment window 304align in an overlapping fashion, but generally move with respect to eachother as will be explained further below.

The alignment bore 302 is cylindrical and is sized to rotationally holda turret 306, which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The turret306 includes an inside portion 402 and an outside portion 404. Theinside portion 402 terminates in a face 406 that is generally alignedwith the inside surface of the first and second outer blades 105, 107.Extending from the face 406 is a protrusion 408 or offset cam, whichwill be explained further below. The inside portion 402 is connected tothe outside portion 404 by a beam 410 or web of material, which is shownin FIG. 5. The outside portion 404 includes a lever channel 412. Thelever channel 412 is formed by walls 413 and is sized to receive an arm314 of a lever 312. The arm 314 includes a rod bore 316 that aligns withthe hinge bores 414. A rod 317 extends through the rod bore 316 and thehinge bores 414 to pivotally couple the lever 312 to the turret 306.

As can be appreciated, the alignment bore 302 and the turret 306 havegenerally the same diameter. The beam 410 coupling the inside portion402 and the outside portion 404 has a reduced diameter and forms acylindrical gap 416 between the inside portion 402 and the outsideportion 404. An engagement pin 310 extends through an engagement bore320 in the collar 308 and into the gap 416. The engagement pin 310retains the turret 306 in the alignment bore 302 and allows for theturret 306 to rotate when the lever is moved in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the turret 306 is shown with the tool100 in the unlocked position 204 and the locked position 202. In theunlocked position 204, the protrusion 408 generally extends from thecenterline 500 toward the proximal end 101 of tool 100 as shown in FIG.4. In the locked position 202, the protrusion 408 generally extends fromthe centerline 500 toward the distal end 103 of tool 100. For reference,in the unlocked position 204, the protrusion 408 generally points to 12o'clock and in the locked position 202, the protrusion generally pointsto 6 o'clock. The positions of turret 306 in the unlocked position 204and the locked position 202 are shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a view of tool 100 with connector 113 exploded. Connector113, in this exemplary embodiment, is a threaded connector. Analternative connector is described below. The outer surface of the firstand second inner blades includes a top non-threaded panel 702 with athreaded panel 704 just below the top non-threaded panel 702 having aplurality of threads 706. The top non-threaded panel 702 and thethreaded panel 704 extend above the first and second outer blades 105,107. The first and second outer blades 105, 107 terminate in atop ledge701 proximate the collar 308. The top ledge 701 is sized to allow thebottom surface 703 of connector 113 to abut the top ledge. The bottomsurface 703 facilitates retention of the engagement pin 310 in theengagement bore 320.

The collar 308 has a flared extension 705 that forms a cavity 707between the flared extension 705 and the top non-threaded and threadedpanels 702, 704. The connector, as shown in FIG. 8, is generally ahollow cylindrical tube with a lower threaded portion 802 that hasthreads 804 sized to cooperatively engage threads 706. The threads 706,804 may be designed as reverse or “left-handed” such that the connector113 is not inadvertently disengaged during conventional use. Thecylindrical tube of connector 113 is formed by a wall having a thickness806 sized to cooperatively fit in cavity 707. Threading the connector113 onto the threaded panels 704 of the first and second inner blades109, 111 coupled the first outer blade 105 and first inner blade 109 tothe second outer blade 107 and the second inner blade 111.

Once the tool 100 is coupled and locked to saddle 102, the connector 113may be removed. The first and second inner and outer blades 105, 107,109, 111 generally retain their respective positions in the lockedposition 202 on the implant without the connector 113. Removal of theconnector 113, as generally shown in FIG. 7, results in a channel 710that extends the entire length of the first and second inner and outerblades 105, 107, 109, 111. Thus, unlike the aforementioned prior arttools, the rod may be inserted using a tool extending anywhere along thelength of the channel 710. In other words, when the connector 113 isremoved, the proximal opening of channel 710 is unblocked from access bya horizontal tool or rod and when the connector 113 is connected, theproximal opening to channel 710 is blocked by the connector 113 suchthat the channel cannot be accessed therefrom by a horizontal tool orrod. The hollow connector 113 allows the tool 100 to be used with otherconventional tools as well.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a tool 900 with an alternativeconnector 902 is provided. The tool 900 has first and second outerblades 901, 903 and first and second inner blades 905, 907. The innerand outer blades 901, 903, 905, 907 move in sliding relation to eachother similar to the tool 100 described above. The tool 900 similarlyhas the turret 306 rotationally coupled to the blades 901, 903, 905, 907such that rotation of the protrusion 408 moves the first and secondinner blades 905, 907 between the locked and unlocked positions.

The first and second outer blades 901, 903 terminate in a collar 908that contains the alignment bore 302. The collar 908 of tool 900terminates in the top ledge 701. The top ledge 701 comprises theengagement bore 320 through which the engagement pin 310 extends toreside in the gap 416.

The first and second inner blades 905, 907 have a connector lock portion910 extending beyond the top ledge 701. The connector lock portion 910includes a first outer surface 912 having a first outer diameter D1 anda second outer surface 914 having a second outer diameter D2. Thediameter D2 is greater than the diameter D1 such that the second outersurface 914 is stepped radially outward from the first outer surface 912forming an overhang 916. The overhang 916, first outer surface 912, andtop ledge 701 form a groove 918, channel or the like. The connector lockportion 910 includes a first inner surface 920 having a first innerdiameter D3 and a second inner surface 922 having a diameter D4. Thediameter D4 is greater than the diameter D3 such that the second outersurface 922 is stepped radially outward from the first inner surface 920forming a ridge 924. The connector lock portion 910 terminates at acrown 926. The crown 926 may be flat or sloped. As shown, a portion ofthe crown 926 is sloped from the second outer surface 914 down towardsthe second inner surface 922. The slope, taper, or chamfer mayfacilitate the insertion of a lock wall as will be explained furtherbelow. The connector portion 910 has a lock tab 915 formed generally bythe second outer surface 914, the crown 926, and the second inner wall922.

The connector 902 has a base 930 with an inner rail 932. The inner rail932 has a rail diameter D5 that is approximately equal to diameter D1such that the inner rail 932 resides in groove 918. Adjacent the rail932 is a ring 934. The ring 934 has a ring diameter D6 that isapproximately equal to the diameter D2 such that the lock tab 915resides in the ring 934.

The connector 902 comprises a hollow interior 936 to receive a movablebarrel 938. The connector 902 connects first and second inner and outerblades 901, 903, 905, 907 by movement of the barrel 938 from an unlockedposition 940 (shown in FIG. 9) where the first and second inner blades905, 907 at the connector portion 910 may move radially inwardly to besnap fit with the connector 902 and a locked position 942 (shown in FIG.10) where the barrel forms a lock wall 944 to retain the lock tab 915 inthe ring 934 such that the first and second inner blades 905, 907 cannotmove sufficiently radially inwardly to disengage from the connector 902.The barrel 938 has a bottom stop 946 that is supported by the ridge 924.The barrel 938 also is generally hollow to allow tool access. The barrel938 proximate the bottom stop 946 has an inner diameter D7 approximatelyequal to diameter D3 and an outer diameter D8 approximately equal todiameter D4.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool, comprising: first and second outer bladeseach having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first andsecond outer blades each comprise an attachment mechanism disposed atthe distal end for coupling the first and second outer blades to animplant, wherein the first and second outer blades each comprise analignment bore in the proximal end; first and second inner blades eachhaving a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first and secondinner blades each comprise an alignment window in the proximal end,wherein the alignment window of each of the first and second innerblades overlaps with the alignment bore of the corresponding one of thefirst and second outer blades, and wherein the first inner and outerblades and the second inner and outer blades cooperate to form a channelextending along an entire length of the first and second inner and outerblades; and first and second turrets, wherein each turret has a leverpivotally coupled thereto, wherein each turret is rotatably positionedin the alignment bore of the corresponding one of the first and secondouter blades, wherein each turret comprises a protrusion that is movablypositioned in the alignment window of the corresponding one of the firstand second inner blades such that rotation of the turret causes movementof the protrusion, and wherein actuation of the lever rotates the turretand causes the first and second inner blades to move relative to thefirst and second outer blades about and between an unlocked position anda locked position.
 2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a hollowconnector releasably coupled to the proximal end of the first and secondinner blades, wherein a proximal end of the channel is blocked when thehollow connector is coupled to the first and second inner blades andwherein the proximal end of the channel is unblocked when the hollowconnector is removed from the first and second inner blades.
 3. The toolof claim 1, wherein the turret comprises an inside portion and anoutside portion connected by a beam, and wherein the inside portion, theoutside portion, and the beam cooperate to form an annular gap.
 4. Thetool of claim 3, wherein the first and second outer blades each furthercomprise a collar having an engagement bore; and further comprising anengagement pin positioned in the engagement bore and at least a portionof the annular gap, wherein the engagement pin retains and allowsrotational movement of the turret in the engagement bore.
 5. The tool ofclaim 3, wherein the outside portion of the turret has a lever channeldefined therein and a hinge bore extending through the outside portionacross the lever channel, wherein the lever comprises an arm having arod bore defined therein, and wherein a rod extends through the hingebore and the rod bore to pivotally couple the lever to the turret. 6.The tool of claim 1, wherein: each of the first and second outer bladeseach comprise a collar at the proximal end; each of the first and secondinner blades comprise a connector lock portion extending beyond thecollar, wherein the connector lock portion terminates in a lock tab; andthe hollow connector comprises a base that abuts the collar, a ringsized to cooperatively engage the lock tab, and a barrel movable in theconnector to form a lock wall preventing the lock tab from disengagingfrom the ring.
 7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the collar terminates ata top ledge and the connector lock portion comprises a first outersurface, a second outer surface stepped radially outward from the firstouter surface, and an overhang extending between the first outer surface and the second outer surface such that the top ledge, first outersurface, and overhang cooperate to form a groove; and the base comprisesa rail sized to fit in the groove.
 8. The tool of claim 6, wherein thelock tab and the barrel form a taper lock.
 9. The tool of claim 1,wherein: each of the first and second outer blades each comprise acollar at the proximal end, the collar comprising a flared extension;each of the first and second inner blades comprise an externallythreaded portion extending beyond the collar and forming a gap betweenthe flared extension and at least the externally threaded portion; andthe connector comprises an internally threaded portion wherein theinternally threaded portion cooperatively engages the externallythreaded portion of the first and second inner blades.
 10. The tool ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second inner blades are releasablycoupleable to an implant at a first location.
 11. The tool of claim 10,wherein the first and second outer blades are releasably coupleable tothe implant at a second location different than the first location. 12.The tool of claim 10, wherein the first and second inner blades eachcomprise a protrusion engageable with a detent in the implant.
 13. Thetool of claim 11, wherein the first and second outer blades eachcomprise a ledge engageable with a shelf in the implant.
 14. The tool ofclaim 13, wherein the implant is a saddle.
 15. A system, comprising: atool having a proximal end and a distal end, the tool comprising a firstportion and a second portion spaced from each other to form a channelextending a length thereof, each of the first and second portionscomprising: first and second arcuate elongate members, a turret, and anattachment mechanism disposed at a distal end of the first arcuateelongate member, wherein the first arcuate elongate member has analignment bore disposed in a proximal end thereof and the second arcuateelongate member has an alignment window disposed in a proximal endthereof, wherein the first and second arcuate elongate members arepositioned such that the alignment window overlaps with the alignmentbore, wherein the turret comprises a protrusion and has a leverpivotably coupled thereto, wherein the turret is rotatably positioned inthe alignment bore and the protrusion of the turret is movablypositioned in the alignment window such that rotation of the turretmoves the protrusion, and wherein actuation of the lever rotates theturret and causes the first elongate arcuate member to move relative tothe second elongate arcuate member about and between a locked positionand an unlocked position; and an implant comprising corresponding firstand second attachment mechanisms to releasably attach to thecorresponding attachment mechanism of the first portion and the secondportion, respectively.
 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising aconnector releasably connecting the first and second portions at theproximal end of the tool, the connector comprising a hollow interior,wherein a proximal end of the channel is blocked when the connector iscoupled to the first and second portions and wherein the proximal end ofthe channel is unblocked when the connector is removed from the firstand second portions.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first andsecond portions of the tool are connected only by the connector and theimplant.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the connector comprises abase having a rail, a ring extending circumferentially around an innerwall, and a lock barrel movable along the inner wall; wherein the firstarcuate elongated members terminate in a collar having a top ledge;wherein the second arcuate elongate members terminate in a connectorportion sized to fit within the hollow interior of the connector;wherein the connector further comprises a lock tab sized to move in andout of the ring; and wherein the lock barrel has a connected positionwhere the lock barrel engages the lock tab in the ring.
 19. The systemof claim 15, wherein the implant is a saddle.